Tractor manuals?

michaelaz · Apr 27, 2004

Hello folks, new member here with first post. I am wanting to buy my first grey compact tractor and found this site. Thank God it is here. I have spent hours reading posts so I can try and be an informed buyer, and I have to say, it sure gets complicated. A little about me, older fellow with arthritis, you know knees and hips. Pretty complete shop including machine shop and welding. Can sandblast and paint. {And no, I wouldn't sandblast a tractor that is assembled!} Pretty good knowledge with mechanics so I'm not afraid to do some repair work. Familiar with diesels being an old truck driver and having a Dodge Cummins pickup for ten years. {Just sold my Freighliner Classic.} Have Ford 8N's and Farmall Cubs so know a little about tractors. Unfortunaly they do not do well with a front end loader and that is what I need. I need it for turning and loading compost, not a big operation, and some landscaping. It seems 20hp to 22 hp will get the job done for me. I seem to be leaning towards the models that will cost around $6,000. Kind of afraid of the refurbished models, just not sure you would be getting what they claim. One question I haven't been able to find is about manuals. Are shop manuals available for the grey tractors? I'm sure the thing to do is before buying a tractor, is to be sure parts and manuals are available. Any possible information anybody thinks I might need, I would sure like to hear it. I just remembered something, My friend has a 20 hp older Yanmar I have used. While I like the tractor, it was difficult somewhat for me to get on and off. There are so many levers and petals in the way, I had to do quite a bit of twisting to get my feet planted in the small floorboards. I know a lot of you folks are here a lot and answer questions and I appreciate your help.
Thanks
Michael

Soundguy · Apr 27, 2004

You'll find that many of the asian ( chineese and japaneese ) units have a smaller operators platform.. that includes things like gear shifts in the center between the legs.. close in fenders.. and knobs and levers that in some cases.. you can't reach while seated perfectly.
Same with older tractors.. like those ford N-series... Personally I like the pto lever... hard to engage it from the seat while the clutch is in.. unless you are gumby or stretch armstrong..

Pretty much though.. that is the compact tractor mentality. To get more roomy.. you have to have a bigger tractor. For instance.. my NH 1920 is nice and roomy.. but then.. it is a 34 hp machine that weighs 3500#

Manuals.. well.. you can get the japanese parts manuals.. and get a good idea with exploded parts diagrams and such.. and also buy a close american models manual so you can actually read it. Some units have better parts availability than others.

Loaders generally work better with 4wd, or powersteering.. or both. 4wd on the little yanmars seems to be fairly nice in the way of the feel of power steering...

You probably don't want a loader on a mid sized yanmar that is 2wd.. if you dind't like it on the 8n

I have a ym 1700.. and that is 20ish hp.. I have mowed on a little 4wd model..13xxd?

Soundguy

scrinch · Apr 27, 2004

If you want a gray Yanmar that is relatively easy-on, easy-off, try the newer (mid-1980's to 1990's) F-series (F15D, F24D, etc). They have a more-or-less flat deck, so you just step aboard rather than "mount" the tractor. You can get manuals at Hoye Tractor.

michaelaz · Apr 27, 2004

Soundguy, thanks for the reply and advise. I did forget to mention I want 4 X 4. What you say makes sense about the tractors being compact and that crowds things a little for the cockpit. I didn't know if some makes are better than others or not as far as floorspace and ease of mounting. Sad to say I live in the desert 150 miles from any grey tractor dealers and that doesn't help. I'm getting ready to make a trip to Ohio from Az so there should be plenty of dealers between here and there to stop at. Yes, the 8N just isn't designed for a front loader so I don't even want to think about going that route. Would have to put a pump on the front of the crank and then still have to worry with the small sheetmetal kingpin that holds the front axle on.
Thanks again
Michael

michaelaz · Apr 27, 2004

Thanks for the good advise scrinch, about the later models. That was somthing I needed to know. With the grey tractors, will the dealer know what year the tractor is made? I wonder how much more the later models cost than the older ones. Wanting to buy a tractor sure isn't as easy as it was 50 years ago! Also thanks for the manual advise.
Michael

kayssupply · Apr 27, 2004

I have an Iseki TA215 and have had a few other Iseki TA models. They have a very open floor pan and loaders are made to fit. The beauty of the TA Iseki models is that they are Massey crossovers. Mine is a Massey 1125. I have complete manuals for it and a Japanese one on the way for things that aren't exactly the same. They are shuttle shift and power steering also. They are on the high end for cost but still way under a Massey 1125 with more hours.

kayssupply · Apr 27, 2004

My brother lives in Phoenix. We vivited a dealer north of there. Black water or Black Canyon, anyway he had several tractors but most were not really nice. He also makes his own loaders. They looked pretty crude but the price was right.

michaelaz · Apr 27, 2004

Thanks for the reply Kayssupply. I will be sure to check them out. The shuttle shift and power steering would sure be great with the arthritis. Also a big plus being a cross over tractor. Yes, I bet you meant Black Canyon, I know where that is. I'm on the other side of Phoenix, close to New Mexico.
Thanks agian for the help
Michael

scrinch · Apr 28, 2004

Here's an ad for an F15D (19 HP) with loader about 300 miles west of you in the California desert. This may not be exactly what you're looking for, but it has several good photos of the open cockpit. I'm 6' 3" and I have no trouble at all with access or operating my F15D.

michaelaz · Apr 28, 2004

Thanks for the link scrinch. Yes, I see now there is a big difference in the floors on these tractors. My friends Yanmar would be fine for a healthy person but did give me a little trouble weaving my feet through the petals and levers. I'm only 5' 9" also. I definately want that style. I will check out that website some more.
Thanks again
Michael